Teens mourned after Ottawa crash

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Jonathan Jackson, left, and David Stringer died after the Pontiac Sunfire they were in collided with a Hyundai Santa Fe SUV Saturday night. ((Facebook))

Ottawa police say driver error is likely to blame for a weekend crash on Albion Road that claimed the lives of two high school students.

Speed and alcohol were ruled out as factors in the accident, which happened Saturday night when a Pontiac Sunfire driven by David Stringer, 17, and carrying passenger Jonathan Jackson, 18, collided with a Hyndai Santa Fe.

Both teens in the Sunfire were killed. Four passengers in the Santa Fe were taken to hospital and are listed in stable condition.

The Sunfire was travelling southbound on Albion about 300 metres south of Rideau Road at about 7:40 p.m.

Police say Stringer might have veered into the highway's narrow gravel shoulder and while attempting to correct, steered into the oncoming lane.

Friends gather at accident site

On Monday, friends of the two teens came to the accident site to say goodbye.

"Not all of us are religious, but we know Jonathan and David were both very religious so we said a little prayer for them," said Kadry Lawrence.

Set to graduate from Merivale High School this year, Stringer was active in musical theatre and held a black belt in karate.

Jackson, a student at John McCrae Secondary school, was a popular student involved in charitable work. He spent a year in Haiti with his family working with the poor.

The school board said a tragic events reponse team has been put in place to provide assistance, counselling and support to students and staff this week.

"Our community is in mourning," said a statement issued by the board. "We will support each other in this time of need."

Ottawa Coun. Doug Thompson also visited the accident site Monday.

"Albion Road is a very busy road," said Thompson. "And we are concerned, and I think the city traffic people are concerned about this particular stretch because it is dark at night, very dark, heavily travelled.